Jonathan Edwards was . . . "born Oct. 5, 1703, East Windsor, Conn. [U.S.] died March 22, 1758, Princeton, N.J. - - (The) greatest theologian and philosopher of British American Puritanism, stimulator of the religious revival known as the 'Great Awakening,' and one of the forerunners of the age of Protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century."Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/179857/Jonathan-Edwards

"During his preparation for the ministry, his residence in New York, and his subsequent residence in his father's house, he formed a series of resolutions, to the number of seventy, intended obviously for himself alone, to regulate his own heart and life, but fitted also, from their Christian simplicity and spiritual-mindedness, to be eminently useful to others. Of these the first thirty-four* were written before Dec. 18, 1722, the time in which his Diary, as it now exists, commences. The particular time and occasion of making many of the rest, will be found in that most interesting narrative, in which also are many other rules and resolutions, intended for the regulation of his own affections, of perhaps equal excellence. It should be remembered they were all written before he was twenty years of age. As he was wholly averse to all profession and ostentation ; and as these resolutions themselves were plainly intended for no other eye than his own, except the eye that is omniscient; they may be justly considered as the basis of his conduct and character, the plan by which he governed the secret as well as the publick actions of his life."RESOLUTIONS" Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, To be continually endeavouring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

3. Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove onlv an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. Vid. July 30.

9. Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, When I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

(The first twenty-one were written with the same pen; as were the next ten, at a subsequent sitting. The rest were written occasionally, on two detached pieces of paper.)

12. Resolved, If I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, To be endeavouring to find out fit objects of liberality and charity.

14. Resolved, Never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, Never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, To live so, at all times, as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, Frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs, and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the fourth Resolution.

24. Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, To examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, To cast away such things as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, Never wilfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, To strive every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, Never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honour, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said any thing against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, To be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Prov. xx. 6. ' A faithful man, who can find ?' may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, To do always what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without an overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, In narrations, never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, Whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, To inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,-- what sin I have committed,-- and wherein I have denied myself; -- also, at the end of every week, month, and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, Never to utter any thing that is sportive, or matter of laughter, on a Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, Never to do any thing, of which I so much question the lawfulness, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, To inquire every night before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the^best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed when I was received into the communion of the church, and which I have solemnly re-made this 12th day of January, 1723.

43. Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's; agreeably to what is to be found in ... (the Scriptures?) Jan. 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan. 12, 1723.

45. Resolved, Never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved, to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye; and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving, and sincere, temper; and to do, at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have so done. Sabbath morning, May 5, 1723..

48. Resolved, Constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, That this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, That I will act so, as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, That I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, To improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him ; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Resolved, Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, that I will endeavour to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, When I fear misfortunes and adversity, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13,1723.

58. Resolved, Not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness, and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, When I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly ; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it -- that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, &c. May 21, and July 13,1723.

62. Resolved, Never to do any thing but my duty, and then, according to Eph. vi. 6-8. to do it willingly and cheerfully, as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. June 25, and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, To act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14, and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, When I find those " groanings which cannot be uttered," of which the apostle speaks, and those " breathings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the psalmist speaks, Psalm cxix. 20. that I will promote them to the utmost of my power; and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and Aug. 10,1723.

65. Resolved, Very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness of which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him, all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton's Sermon on the 119th Psalm. July 26, and Aug. 10, 1723.

66. Resolved, That I will endeavour always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking, in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them; and, what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, To confess frankly to myself, all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10,1723.

69. Resolved, Always to do that, which I shall wish 1 had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11,1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723."

Source: The works of Jonathan Edwards By Jonathan Edwards, Henry Rogers, Sereno Edwards Dwight, (1839), pages lxii-lxiv as copied and digitized by Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Z7fRAAAAMAAJMay the Lord bless this presentation.

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WelcomeWelcome to the Thanksgiving Week online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. This is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are invited and are welcome here at any time, Thanksgiving or not. Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Come, ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of Harvest-home. All be safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin; God, our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied, Come to God's own temple, come; Raise the song of Harvest-home.

All the world is God's own field, Fruit unto His praise to yield; Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown; First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear. Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord, our God, shall come And shall take His harvest home; From His field shall in that day All offences purge away; Give His angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast, But the fruitful ears to store In His garner evermore.

Let's pray together now, to welcome the Lord to join us openly as we worship Him.

O Lord, we come in thankfulness today, To praise You for the blessings You bestow. We gather in Your name to give our thanks For all the many gifts You do provide. Please be with us and join us here today, And let us know Your presence in our midst. In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on Matthew 6:9-13

* * *

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)

(Read while listening)By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor--and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be--That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions--to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

The Mayflower Compact - 1620Mayflower Compact 1620Agreement Between the Settlers at New Plymouth : 1620IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.

I pray that you are thankful in your heartFor all the many blessings God bestows.He owes you nothing, yet he gives you life,And lets you have the freedom that you crave.You only hurt yourself by blaming HimFor all the problems that you have.And Satan takes delight to see you frownAnd rage against your Maker, Who provides,If only you will recognize His love.In Jesus' name I pray for you, Amen.

Words translated by Theodore Baker, 1894. Music is a Dutch melody arranged by Edward Kremser, 1877. MIDI arrangement and sequence by Bill McGinnis. Everything here is Public Domain.MIDI file located at http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/kremser.mid p>

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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This worship service is now completed. Go in peace.Rev. Bill McGinnis

You can contact me at bmcgin@patriot.net. (Please mention "worship service" in the title line of your message, so I will be sure to see it.)

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Unregulated profit-seeking corporations cannot be trusted to protect the Public, because their main objective is to make profits, not to be a do-gooder for the Public. Whenever profit-making conflicts with the Public interest, profit-making wins! Thus they become Predators on the Public, not Protectors of the Public.

This is not a radical idea, but an obvious fact, if you think about it. Profit-seeking corporations exist to make a profit, and the more profit, the better. Anything which increases profits is good for them; and anything which decreases profits is bad. So they try to do whatever is necessary to make profits. This is the essence of Laissez-faire Capitalism: that profit-seeking corporations should be left alone to do whatever they choose to do in order to make profits.

Employees get paid to help the company make a profit, not to be a do-gooder for the general Public. Just suppose a local manager decided to give away $1,000,000 of the company's money to build a playground for the neighborhood children. "The kids need the playground!," he says. Unless this playgound were part of some co-ordinated Public Relations effort, intended ultimately to produce greater profit, the employee would probably be fired, and replaced by someone with a better profit-making attitude.

Suppose an auto manufacturer had some kind of a safety problem, perhaps gas tanks that sometimes exploded on impact. And suppose it would cost a hundred million dollars to fix the problem, but it would only cost ten million to let the problem continue, and pay off the victims who sued and won. What do you suppose the company would do? It would let the problem continue, of course! Deny that a problem exists, claim it was the user's fault, and pay off damages only when forced to do so. These kinds of decisions happen all the time. Why do you suppose the corporations are so eager to get "Tort Reform?" To limit their payoffs for damages, of course! So their profits aren't hurt so much! "To hell with the Public," they think. "They should be more careful!"

And if the Management of a profit-seeking corporation ever did choose the Public interest over a higher profit (unless it were forced to do so by some kind of government regulation), then that corporation would be violating its financial duty to its stockholders. And the stockholders would be entitled to replace the do-gooder Management with a profit-oriented Management.

UNREGULATED CAPITALISM HARMS THE COUNTRY THESE SIX WAYS

We are talking mainly about the larger, publicly-traded, profit-seeking corporations like those whose stocks are traded on the stock exchanges. But the same ideas can apply to any unregulated profit-seeking corporation, even the smaller ones and the private ones.

We recognize that profit-seeking corporations can be a great force for good in the world, creating and providing wonderful goods and services that would be unavailable by any other means. But we also recognize that if they are unregulated, they harm the public these six ways. An unregulated corporation is like a loose elephant in your neighborhood. Who can stop it from trampling over whatever it chooses?

1. NOT PAY TAXES -In order to maximize profits, they always seek to avoid or minimize their taxes.

2. ELIMINATE COMPETITION -In order to maximize profits, they always seek to eliminate or control their competition.

3. CUT WAGES AND SALARIES - In order to maximize profits, they always seek to reduce their labor costs.

4. DISREGARD THE ENVIRONMENT - In order to maximize profits, they always seek to avoid all environmental restraints.

5. SELL DANGEROUS, HARMFUL PRODUCTS - In order to maximize profits, they are tempted to sell dangerous or harmful products.

6. CONTINUOUSLY SEEK GREATER PRIVATIZATION AND DEREGULATION - Pretending to be "efficient," they transfer ownership and economic control from the Public to the Big Investors. And if Corporate Greed totally overwhelms their morality, who will protect the Public from their rampaging excesses?

We need profit-seeking corporations because they are very efficient and very innovative. They are quick to provide products and services to fill needs, if the profit is there. They can do great things very quickly. But they cannot be trusted to protect the Public, if it hurts their profits to do so. And it is unreasonable to expect that they should - unless they are somehow compelled to do it. But we cannot allow them simply to run loose, like rampaging elephants, trampling down whatever is in their path.

The answer is GOVERNMENT REGULATION! Yes, Government Regulation of profit-seeking corporations. Reasonable regulations, applied fairly, so that all the companies are in the same boat and nobody gets any special advantage. This is not difficult to do, but it does require some effort. And it requires going against the current right-wing Republican policies of Laissez-faire Capitalism: that profit-seeking corporations should be left alone to do whatever they choose to do in order to make profits.

Come up from the Fields, FatherWalt Whitman (1819-1892), Leaves of Grass, 1900.

1COME up from the fields, father, here's a letter from our Pete; And come to the front door, mother, here's a letter from thy dear son.

2Lo, 'tis autumn; Lo, where the trees, deeper green, yellower and redder, Cool and sweeten Ohio's villages, with leaves fluttering in the moderate wind;Where apples ripe in the orchards hang, and grapes on the trellis'd vines; (Smell you the smell of the grapes on the vines? Smell you the buckwheat, where the bees were lately buzzing?) Above all, lo, the sky, so calm, so transparent after the rain, and with wondrous clouds; Below, too, all calm, all vital and beautiful, and the farm prospers well.

3Down in the fields all prospers well; But now from the fields come, father, come at the daughter's call; And come to the entry, mother, to the front door come, right away. Fast as she can she hurries, something ominous, her steps trembling; She does not tarry to smoothe her hair, nor adjust her cap. Open the envelope quickly; O this is not our son's writing, yet his name is sign'd; O a strange hand writes for our dear son. O stricken mother's soul! All swims before her eyes,flashes with black, she catches the main words only; Sentences broken, "gun-shot wound in the breast, cavalry skirmish, taken to hospital, At present low, but will soon be better."

4Ah, now, the single figure to me, Amid all teeming and wealthy Ohio, with all its cities and farms, Sickly white in the face, and dull in the head, very faint, By the jamb of a door leans. "Grieve not so, dear mother," (the just-grown daughter speaks through her sobs; The little sisters huddle around, speechless and dismay'd;) "See, dearest mother, the letter says Pete willsoon be better."

5Alas, poor boy, he will never be better, (nor may-be needs to be better, that brave and simple soul;) While they stand at home at the door, he is dead already; The only son is dead. But the mother needs to be better; She, with thin form, presently drest in black; By day her meals untouch'd, then at night fitfully sleeping, often waking, In the midnight waking, weeping, longing with one deep longing, O that she might withdraw unnoticed, silent from life, escape and withdraw, To follow, to seek, to be with her dear dead son.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Rev. Bill McGinnis has today released his "All-Purpose Agreement Form," which is suitable for creating simple legal agreements between any two persons, on any matter. This easy-to-use legal form is completely free of charge and has been placed in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction.

This legal form joins the other legal forms already released by Rev. Bill McGinnis, including a free automobile bill of sale, a free general bill of sale, a free personal loan agreement form, and others.

"Get it in writing, and avoid misunderstandings," says McGinnis. "Too many people encounter conflicts because the details of their agreements with others are assumed, but never written down. This new legal form can solve many of these problems."

By Teaching Evolution As Unquestioned Truth, We Officially Deny That God Created Humans; And Thus We Establish Atheism, In Effect, As Our State Religion.

By denying God, we establish no-God, which is Atheism, in violation of the Constitution.

The Theory Of Evolution is, itself, a very powerful religious statement: namely, that God did not create human beings. And if God did not create human beings, then He could not possibly have created the Universe, because human beings are a part of the Universe. Then it becomes very easy to believe that He probably didn't do anything else of importance, and that He probably doesn't even really exist. This is pure Atheism! If we are not created by God, then there might as well be no God, for all the difference He makes.

So, by teaching the theory of evolution as unquestioned truth, we officially deny that God created humans; and thus we establish Atheism, in effect, as our State Religion, in violation of our Constitution.

Amendment I - "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Source: U. S. Constitution

It doesn't really matter if evolution is true or not, as far as the Constitution is concerned. If we teach it as unquestioned truth, we are minimizing the importance of God and thereby promoting Atheism.

If the Constitution prohibits us from teaching that God did create humans, then it certainly must prohibit us from teaching that God did not create humans. If religious neutrality is required, then we must not teach evolution as unquestioned truth. If we do teach evolution as unquestioned truth, we are effectively establishing Atheism as our state religion, in violation of the First Amendment.

So it is a very small step indeed from teaching evolution as unquestioned truth, to establishing Atheism as our official State Religion. If we present Intelligent Design as a possible alternative to Atheistic Evolution, we avoid this Constitutional problem.

By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director LoveAllPeople.orgThese ideas are now in the Public Domain.

February 1, 2009

During this past week, the national news has been filled with stories about ice storms and the serious damage they have caused. People have died and property has been destroyed because of these natural events which we cannot yet control. Although we cannot control the ice storms themselves, we may be somewhat able to control one of the worst effects which they cause: the build-ups of ice on trees and power lines, which frequently results in loss of electrical power.

Here are my suggestions, free for all people to use however they may please . . .

PREVENTING THE ICE BUILD-UPS

It is a fact of Nature that turbulent water will not freeze as quickly as still water will freeze. Depending on the degree of turbulence and other factors, the temperature must sometimes drop far below thirty-two degrees (F) before the water will freeze. Other things being equal, the greater the turbulence, the lower the temperature must be for freezing to occur. The movement of the water molecules inhibits the formation of ice crystals, and freezing of the water is thus retarded.

Given these facts, it is reasonable to conclude that ice buildups on trees and power lines during an ice storm could be retarded or totally prevented by somehow making the trees and power lines vibrate, perhaps at the same rate per second that normal electrical power is transmitted.

Here is one way we could accomplish this: Design and build "vibrator boxes," each perhaps about one cubic foot in size, which would contain an electrical motor with a flywheel which is weighted so as to produce a vibration when it spins. Each vibrator box would be mounted on a tree or utility pole. The vibrations from the vibrator box would be transferred to the tree branches and power lines, and ice formation would be inhibited by the vibrations. Sensors would detect the combined presence of water and low temperature, and would turn on the vibrator motors automatically, as needed. Electrical power to operate the motors on power lines would be provided by the power lines themselves, directly connected to the motors.

We would replace the basket which normally carries the worker, with a large mechanical hand of some sort, connected to a jackhammer. The mechanical hand would then grab hold of the tree or utility pole, and the jackhammer would be turned on. The sharp strikes from the jackhammer would then knock the ice loose from the tree branches and power lines. The worker would control the operation of the boom, the mechanical hand, and the jackhammer, from below on the truck. The truck would be scheduled to go through the neighborboods, hammering trees and utility poles as needed, to remove the ice build-ups.

I hope these ideas may be helpful in some way.

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org

All of our original content on all of our web pages is in the Public Domain. You may link to these pages by any means you choose, including "framing."

Friday, January 16, 2009

Flight 1549 - Miracle On The Hudson: A Hopeful Metaphor For The USA In 2009

President Barack Obama (Captain Sullenberger) will skillfully guide The United States and its people (the airplane and its passengers) through the present economic and political crisis to a safe landing. President Obama will be ably assisted by the other members of his administration (the Flight Crew), by Congress (the official rescue boats and their official crews), and by his millions of individual strong supporters (the private rescue boats and their crews.)

The Story Of Flight 1549

Yesterday I watched on live TV as the drama of US Airways Flight 1549 unfolded on the screen before me. MSNBC had come in to the story early, just at the point where an airplane had been spotted floating in the Hudson River, where it was normally not supposed to be. People were standing on the wings of the aircraft, where they were normally not supposed to be. And various boats were pulling up close, beginning to rescue people from the plane.This scene was impossible to ignore, so I stayed glued to the television until it was clear that everything was under control. And here is what happened, as I now understand it . . .

A US Airways commercial airliner, with more than 150 people on board, had just taken off from New York's LaGuardia Airport, when it unexpectedly encountered a flock of large-sized birds, reported to be Canada Geese. Some of the birds crashed into the engines, causing both engines to fail suddenly.

So then here was a large airplane, full of passengers and loaded with fuel, flying with no power, losing altitude over New York City, with thousands of buildings and millions of people below. It looks like a catastrophe beginning to happen. What can anybody do to stop it?

Well, as it happened, the Captain of that plane was Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III, perhaps the best-suited person in the world to be in command in this particular situation. As a veteran pilot, with an expert knowledge of Flight Safety Procedures and a strong sense of duty, Sullenberger also possessed the quick-thinking mind and calm, unflappable temperament needed to pull him through this huge crisis. With him was a well-trained, well-experienced flight crew, flying in a well-designed and well-maintained aircraft. Beneath him on the river was a willing fleet of boats nearby, ready and able to spring into action if needed.

Everything then came together perfectly. Sullenberger quickly evaluated the situation and considered his options. The available airports were too far away: he couldn't reach them in time. There was no way he could try to land the plane on a highway: too crowded. There was no huge vacant field in sight, suitable for an emergency landing. Obviously he didn't want to crash into the buildings below. But the Hudson River looked like a possible place to make a successful landing, if he did it just right. And there would be many boats nearby, to help with the rescue.

And he did it just right. He skillfully glided his aircraft into the proper position over the river. Then he gently descended to the river, allowing his forward speed to diminish at just the right rate to achieve touchdown at the lowest possible speed without losing lift and falling like a brick. Then he lowered the aircraft onto the river, with the tail section touching first, so as not to flip the plane over on its nose and rip open the fuselage.

The airplane hit the river at about 140 MPH, bounced twice, then came to a stop, floating and with fuselage intact. No smash-up; no explosion; no fire; nobody killed. So far, so good.

Now it was time for the flight crew and the passengers to do their part, by getting everybody out of the plane before it sank into the frigid water. Somehow, they successfully accomplished this task, with no chaos, no panic, no needless injuries.

And then the rescue boats started to arrive, pulling the grateful passengers on board and trying to warm them up from the frigid water and twenty-degree air. Official Coast Guard and Police boats mingled with private volunteer boats, all joining together in a heroic, successful rescue operation.

Final score: More than 150 people saved from death, with only one person seriously injured but expected to recover. Thousands of other people saved from the injury and death which could have easily happened if the plane had crashed into the city.

The Metaphor Of Flight 1549 And The USA In 2009

Some of us, who believe in "Signs And Wonders" in the Biblical sense, feel that it is no accident that such a vivid major event as Flight 1549 should occur only a few days before the momentous passing of Presidential power to Barack Obama on January 20th. We believe that the story of Flight 1549 can be seen as a metaphor -- a representation of -- The United States Of America in 2009.

In this metaphor, the present-day economic and political crisis in the USA is represented by the crises faced by Flight 1549, losing altitude over New York City. The United States itself is represented by the actual airplane involved, which almost perished but was saved from destruction and is now in need of repairs. The People of the United States are represented by the passengers aboard Flight 1549, who were saved by their outstanding Captain. President-elect Barack Obama is represented by Captain "Sully" Sullenberger, who skillfully commanded Flight 1549 to a safe emergency landing. The other members of the Obama Administration are represented by the other members of the Flight Crew. The Senate and The House of Representatives are represented by the official Coast Guard and Police rescue boats and their crews. And the millions of individual strong supporters of Barack Obama -- people who are willing to work for him and his goals -- are represented by the private boats and their crews.

And the metaphorical prediction for the United States goes like this:President Barack Obama (Captain Sullenberger) will skillfully guide The United States and its people (the airplane and its passengers) through the present economic and political crisis to a safe landing. President Obama will be ably assisted by the other members of his administration (the Flight Crew), by Congress (the official rescue boats and their official crews), and by his millions of individual strong supporters (the private rescue boats and their crews.)